Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir Sparks Outrage with Call to Build Synagogue at Al-Aqsa Compound

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir of Israel, known for his far-right stance, has once again sparked controversy by suggesting that he would build a synagogue at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem if it were up to him. This remark, made during an interview with Army Radio, challenges the existing government policy and threatens to inflame tensions in a region already fraught with conflict.

The Al-Aqsa mosque compound, referred to by Jews as the Temple Mount, is one of the most sensitive religious sites in the world. It holds profound significance for both Muslims and Jews. For Muslims, it is the third holiest site in Islam, while for Jews, it is the holiest site, revered as the location of the Second Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

Ben Gvir’s comments come against a backdrop of rising tensions over the status of the Al-Aqsa compound. The site, located in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem, is administered by Jordan, but access is controlled by Israeli security forces. According to the status quo maintained by Israeli authorities, non-Muslims, including Jews, are allowed to visit the site during specified hours, but they are not permitted to pray or display religious symbols there. This policy has been a delicate balance, intended to maintain peace and prevent religious clashes.

However, in recent years, this status quo has been increasingly challenged by hardline religious nationalists like Ben Gvir. His repeated visits to the site, often accompanied by public prayers, have been seen as provocative, drawing strong reactions from Palestinians and the wider Muslim world. His latest statement, in which he expressed his desire to build a synagogue at the site and fly an Israeli flag there, has only added fuel to the fire.

“If I could do anything I wanted, I would put an Israeli flag on the site,” Ben Gvir said during the interview. When pressed by the interviewer on whether he would build a synagogue at the site if it were up to him, he responded affirmatively: “Yes.”

The reactions to Ben Gvir’s comments were swift and strong. Several Israeli officials condemned his remarks, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the current policy. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement reaffirming that “there is no change” to the existing status quo on the Temple Mount.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to denounce Ben Gvir’s actions as “dangerous, unnecessary, and irresponsible.” He warned that any attempt to challenge the status quo at the Temple Mount would endanger Israel’s national security.

The Palestinian response was equally forceful. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for the Palestinian presidency, condemned Ben Gvir’s comments, declaring that “Al-Aqsa and the holy sites are a red line that we will not allow to be touched at all.” Hamas, the militant group with whom Israel is currently engaged in a brutal conflict in Gaza, also issued a statement, calling Ben Gvir’s remarks “dangerous” and urging Arab and Islamic countries to “take responsibility for protecting the holy sites.”

Ben Gvir’s actions have already drawn widespread condemnation, including from several influential Israeli rabbis. Earlier this month, he announced that he had prayed at the compound, an act seen by many as a deliberate provocation.

The timing of Ben Gvir’s comments is particularly sensitive, coming as Israel is embroiled in a protracted war in Gaza. His opposition to any ceasefire in the conflict, reiterated in a recent video statement filmed during a visit to the Al-Aqsa compound, underscores his hardline approach to both the Gaza conflict and the broader Israeli-Palestinian issue.

In a region where religious sites are deeply intertwined with national identity and political sovereignty, Ben Gvir’s remarks threaten to escalate an already volatile situation. The international community, alongside both Israeli and Palestinian leaders, must navigate this delicate moment with caution to prevent further violence and instability.